Tobacco use leads to Teen Challenge suspension

A judge on Friday continued the case of a Willard man who pleaded guilty in October to breaking and entering and has been suspended from Teen Challenge for 30 days.

Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway said Henry K. Stein, 27, of 1920 Greenbush Road, Willard, was asked to leave Teen Challenge because he tested positive for tobacco.

Teen Challenge is a Christian-based, year-long substance abuse treatment program which got its name because it was founded to combat a teen gang problem in New York City. The program is intended for all ages, however.

Stein used a crowbar in the June 6 incident to break into a local auto dealership and steal a cash box, Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler said.

Nobody was there at the time of the Benedict Avenue break-in, but an employee discovered the cash box was missing. According to Norwalk Police Officer Dave Daniels' report, the employee arrived at work about 10:15 a.m. June 6 and found the rear door of the office open.

"The only items found to be missing (were) the cash box and key, which were kept in separate locations," Daniels said in his report.

Stein was ordered to pay $535 in restitution to the business and put on three years of probation.

Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler has told the judge the victim is a part-time police officer who isn't pleased with Stein receiving intervention instead of being convicted, but Leffler said "we're willing to take a chance."

On Friday, Stein told Conway he has a couple of job opportunities, including one at Smith Paving in Norwalk. Conway told the defendant if he gets a job, he would allow him to work. If not, Stein would return to Teen Challenge after his suspension is up.

Conway said Stein has sent a "significant amount of time" in the program.

Regarding possible employment, Conway said "I think that's a big part of recovery as well."

Conway continued Stein's community control sanctions, for which he must regularly report to his probation officer.